Explanatory note
This note is not part of the rules, but is intended to indicate their general effect.
These rules, which come into force on 1 March 2001, amend the District Courts Rules 1992. In general terms, the amendments are to bring the rules up to date with relevant changes made to the High Court Rules since 1992, except where the nature of proceedings involving smaller claims makes a difference between the 2 sets of rules appropriate.
Rule 3 substitutes a new definition of the term mentally disordered person in rule 3(1) of the principal rules.
Rule 4 amends rule 20(1) of the principal rules by changing the opening hours of District Courts from 9.30 am to 4 pm Monday to Friday to 8.30 am to 5 pm Monday to Friday.
Rule 5 revokes rule 44 of the principal rules (which relates to appointment or change of solicitor or address for service) and substitutes a new rule. The changes are that, in relation to the appointment or change of solicitor or representation,—
•if the party's address for service after the appointment or change of solicitor or representation will be different from that which applied before, the party must serve a copy of the notice of change at the address that was, immediately before the change, the party's address for service:
•the notice must contain, in relation to a new solicitor, the information required by paragraphs (b) to (e) of rule 43(1):
•the change is effected upon the filing of an affidavit proving compliance with the rule, and exhibiting and verifying a copy of the notice served.
Rule 6 amends rule 69 of the principal rules (which relates to search of Court records). The amendments—
Rule 7 revokes rules 151 to 167 of the principal rules (which relate to summary judgment procedure) and substitutes new rules. The main differences between the existing rules and the new rules are as follows:
•except as provided in the principal rules or by any other enactment, the summary judgment rules now apply to every proceeding other than a proceeding under Part 9 of the principal rules:
•the summary judgment procedure is now available to defendants:
•existing rule 152 (2) and (3) (relating to specific performance) is not carried forward into the new rules:
•existing rule 154(3) (no application for summary judgment can be based on an allegation of fraud made in the statement of claim) is not carried forward into the new rules:
•existing rule 159 requires a notice of opposition to an application for summary judgment to be filed at least 3 days before the date for hearing the application. The new rule 159 requires that notice to be filed at least 3 working days before the date for hearing. Working day is defined in rule 3(1) of the principal rules:
•existing rule 164 sets the time limit for filing a statement of defence as 30 days after dismissal of a summary judgment application. The new rule 164 shortens that time limit to 14 days.
Rule 8 makes a minor drafting amendment to rule 230 of the principal rules (which relates to personal service on mentally disordered persons). The words omitted from the rule are unnecessary given the definition of mentally disordered person in rule 3(1) of the principal rules.
Rule 9 amends rule 258 of the principal rules (which relates to applications for injunctions) to make the form of wording the same as that in the equivalent High Court rule.
Rule 10 amends rule 287(3) of the principal rules (which relates to review of orders). The amendment provides that an application to vary or rescind an interlocutory order must be both filed and served within the time limits set out in rule 287(3).
Rule 11 is a transitional provision which provides that the new requirement to serve a copy of an application under rule 287(3) does not apply in relation to applications made before rule 10 comes into force.
Rule 12 revokes rule 308 of the principal rules (which relates to who may swear affidavits) and substitutes a new rule. The new rule is consistent with the terms of new rule 515 of the principal rules on the qualifications of persons who make affidavits on behalf of corporations (see rule 24 of these rules).
Rule 13 amends rule 313 of the principal rules (which relates to notice to admit facts) by revoking subclause (2) and substituting a new subclause. The amendment substitutes references to proceeding or interlocutory application for the existing references to cause or matter. This amendment aligns the wording of the subclause with the equivalent High Court rule.
Rule 14 revokes rule 325 of the principal rules (which relates to who may swear an affidavit verifying a list of documents) and substitutes a new rule. The new rule is consistent with the terms of new rule 515 of the principal rules on the qualifications of persons who make affidavits on behalf of corporations (see rule 24 of these rules).
Rule 15 amends rule 348 of the principal rules (which relates to calling of expert witnesses) by revoking subclause (1) and substituting a new subclause. The amendment substitutes references to proceeding or interlocutory application for the existing references to cause or matter. The amendment aligns the wording of the subclause with the equivalent High Court rule.
Rule 16 amends rule 375 of the principal rules (which relates to payment out when person entitled under disability). A minor drafting amendment is made to subclause (1). The words omitted from new paragraph (b) are unnecessary given the definition of mentally disordered person in rule 3(1) of the principal rules. Subclause (2) is amended to substitute a reference to the Mental Health (Compulsory Assessment and Treatment) Act 1992 for the existing reference to the Mental Health Act 1969.
Rule 17 inserts new rule 385A which provides for arbitration by consent during the course of a proceeding. The new rule is in the same terms as rule 383A of the High Court Rules.
Rule 18 inserts new rule 426A into the principal rules. The new rule provides that where a proceeding has not been set down for trial and at least 12 months have elapsed since the last step was taken in that proceeding, no further step may be taken in that proceeding without the leave of the Court. Leave must not be given unless the Court is satisfied that there is a proper issue to be heard in the proceeding.
The new rule is in substantially the same terms as rule 426A of the High Court Rules.
Rule 19 amends rule 433 of the principal rules (which relates to directions before setting down). The amendment provides for mediation or some other form of alternative dispute resolution to be ordered by the Court or Registrar, by consent, before a proceeding is set down for hearing.
Rule 20 amends rule 434 of the principal rules (which relates to directions affecting the hearing). The amendment provides for mediation or some other form of alternative dispute resolution to be ordered by consent during the course of the hearing.
Rule 21 revokes rule 438 of the principal rules (which relates to a Judge assisting in negotiations for settlement) and substitutes a new rule. New rule 438(1) is similar to the existing rule except that the requirement for the parties to agree to the conference is omitted. New rule 438(2) provides for a judicial settlement conference to be held by consent during the hearing.
Rule 22 revokes rule 452 of the principal rules (which relates to the application of provisions on originating applications) and substitutes a new rule. The new rule sets out the proceedings to which Part 6 of the principal rules (originating applications) applies. The approach taken in new rule 452(1)(a) of listing provisions is similar to the approach in rule 458D of the High Court Rules. The following proceedings are proceedings to which Part 6 applies:
•an application to the Court under any of the provisions listed in the new rule:
•an application under any provision if the relevant enactment provides for the application to be made by originating application:
•any other proceeding that the Court, in the interests of justice, permits to be commenced by the filing of an originating application.
Rule 23 amends rule 457 of the principal rules (which relates to directions before the hearing of an originating application). The existing rule 457(1) provides that any party may file an interlocutory application for directions regarding a proceeding commenced by originating application. The new rule provides, in addition to this, that the Court may of its own motion give directions.
Rule 24 revokes rule 515 of the principal rules (which relates to affidavits made on behalf of corporations) and substitutes a new rule. The new rule allows any person to make an affidavit on behalf of a corporation if the person knows the relevant facts and is authorised to make the affidavit.
Rule 25 revokes rule 530 of the principal rules (which relates to time and mode of giving judgment) and substitutes a new rule. The new rule is in the same terms as rule 540 of the High Court Rules.
The principal changes made by the new rule are to provide for judgments to be given orally without the necessity for them to be given in open Court and for written judgments to bear the date and time they are signed by the Judge.
Rule 26 amends rule 531 of the principal rules (which provides for judgments to be sealed and dated). New subclauses (3) and (4) are substituted. New subclause (3) provides that a judgment may be sealed in accordance with any direction given by the Judge or, if no direction is given, at any time after the judgment is given. New subclause (4) provides that a sealed judgment must show both the date on which it is given in accordance with new rule 530 and the date on which it is sealed.
Rule 27 revokes rule 533 of the principal rules (which relates to effective date of judgment) and substitutes a new rule. The existing rule 533 states that a judgment takes effect from the day of its date.
The new rule provides that a judgment takes effect when it is given (in terms of new rule 530).
Rule 28 revokes rule 549 of the principal rules (which relates to contents of notice of appeal) and substitutes a new rule. The changes made by the new rule are—
Rules 29 to 31 and 33 to 43 make consequential changes to forms in the First Schedule of the principal rules.
Rule 32 substitutes a new form 14 in Schedule 1 of the principal rules. The new form—
Rule 44 effects consequential revocations.